Henry Stephenson wins top gong at FEA’s Light Equipment and Tableware Forum

Henry Stephenson was presented with the Donald Bird award for his outstanding contribution to the light equipment and tableware sector at the FEA’s Light Equipment and Tableware (LET) Forum awards dinner.

 

Held on Tuesday 19 May, at the Oxford Belfry hotel, the ceremony proved to be a double success for the Stephensons managing director, with the light equipment distributor also winning the Group Distributor of the Year award, for companies with more than 50 employees, beating runner up Hugh Jordan.

 

Meanwhile, Waltons and Company won Independent Distributor of the Year, with Kitchequip and WV Howe also shortlisted, and Emma Barker from Brakes Catering Equipment was named Sales Professional of the Year, ahead of Marco Muraro from Stephensons and Kitchequip’s Andy Smart.

 

FEA ran a charity raffle on behalf of Hospitality Action during the awards dinner, raising £1,590 on the night.

 

Greg Archer, chair of FEA’s education and training committee, presented the Donald Bird award. He commented on Stephenson’s passion for the business – he represents the fifth generation of the family to be involved, taking over as managing director from his father in 2009. Archer said: “Henry is someone who understands the market and is willing to embrace new trends and new ways of working. We thank him for his support.”

 

Stephenson said he was “absolutely delighted” to receive the award. He added that he has fond memories of Donald Bird coming to Stephensons to talk to his late father and encourage him to send delegates to the LET Forum. “I’m sure Donald would be overjoyed to see us here in force at this year’s event,” he added.

 

As Sales Professional of the Year, Brakes’ Barker won a free place on FEA’s Certified Food Service Professional (CFSP) course and £500. Handing over the trophy, Archer said: “Emma was commended particularly for her proactive sales drive, for working harmoniously with suppliers and for being a consummate professional.”

 

Chair of FEA’s LET product group, Paula Sherlock, presented the two distributor awards, both of which are voted for by the association’s members. She said: “These awards recognise those distributors who have done the most to support and promote sales of light equipment and tableware.”